Master of Physician Assistant Studies

Deadline for submission of complete applications is available on the Future Students website: https://grad.ucalgary.ca/future-students/explore-programs.

Applicants will move through a multi-stage admission process.

Applications and all supporting documents will be submitted at https://grad.ucalgary.ca/future-students/how-apply. All application materials will be forwarded to the MPAS program office for administrative review as well as evaluation and ranking by the MPAS Program Admissions Committee, which is made up of internal and external reviewers.

Short-listed applicants will be required to participate in an interview.

Meeting the minimum admission criteria below does not guarantee acceptance into the program. All applicants with complete applications will be ranked according to evidence from reference letters, personal essays, experiences described in the application, Casper score, and GPA.

In addition to the Faculty of Graduate Studies admission requirements and Cumming School of Medicine requirements, the program requires:

a) Qualifications

• Completion of a four-year baccalaureate degree from an institution recognized by the University of Calgary. A transcript showing the degree conferral date, or a letter from the faculty confirming degree completion, must be received by July 1 as a condition of admission.

• A minimum admission grade point average of 3.20 (on the University of Calgary four-point system); this is based on the last two years of the undergraduate degree consisting of a minimum of 60 units.

• Completion of the following pre-requisite coursework at the post-secondary level with a minimum grade of B (3.00 on a 4.00 scale or equivalent) in each of these courses prior to the application deadline:

  1. Minimum of 3.0 units in human anatomy

  2. Minimum of 3.0 units in human physiology

• Canadian citizenship, permanent residency, or refugee status in Canada.

• Applicants must have a minimum of 500 hours of patient-facing healthcare experience in a clinical setting. This may include direct hands-on patient care experience in a clinical setting, clinical placements in healthcare education programs, or volunteer experience. For each experience, applicants will be required to list the organization name, number of hours, location of experience, and role, as well as provide a verifier name and phone number.

b) Preferred Criteria

• Candidates who have shown a commitment to service in their communities. Applicants will be required to list the number of hours, location of experience, and role, as well as provide a verifier name and phone number.

• Alberta residents. Applicants will be considered Alberta residents if they meet one of the following criteria:

  • Have been physically present in Alberta (or NWT, Yukon or Nunavut) on a day-to-day basis for 24 consecutive months at some point between their 15th birthday and the first day of classes (of the year for which they are applying).

  • Have been on active duty for the 24 months prior to classes starting with the Canadian Armed Forces (not including members of the reserves) or the RCMP.

c) English Language Proficiency

For applicants required to provide proof of proficiency in the English language:

• a minimum internet-based TOEFL score of 105 (with no section less than 20) for tests taken before January 21, 2026, or

• a minimum internet-based TOEFL score of 5.0 (minimum 4.0 in reading, writing and speaking sections; minimum 4.5 in listening section) for tests taken after January 21, 2026; or

• a minimum IELTS Academic version overall band score of 7.5 (with no individual band less than 6.0), or

• a CAEL overall score of 70 (with no section less than 70), or

• a minimum PTE academic version score of 75, or

• Duolingo with score of 145 (with no sub-score below 125), or

• Cambridge C1 Advanced or Cambridge C2 Proficiency with score of 200, or

• This requirement can also be met by completing the Academic Communication Certificate with a minimum grade of A- in each course.

d) Immunizations

• All students in graduate programs in the Cumming School of Medicine are required to complete a series of immunizations and diagnostic tests as outlined on the Student Immunization Worksheet.

• Throughout their graduate program, students are required to ensure that immunizations are current and provide proof of updates to the Cumming School of Medicine. Failure to do so may result in students being removed from the program until such time as adequate proof has been provided. Please note that requirements may change during the program as determined by Alberta Health Services guidelines. Contact the MPAS office for more information.

e) Additional Requirements

• Two referees: Applicants will submit names and professional email addresses for referees in their online applications. Referees will receive an email invitation to provide references online. Recommendations will address the applicant’s suitability for the program, professionalism, integrity, and motivation. Prior employers, professional colleagues, and academic advisors are acceptable references. At least one referee must be someone who can speak to your required patient-facing healthcare experiences.

• Completion of the Computer-Based Assessment for Sampling Personal Characteristics (Casper®). Casper is an online evaluation that assesses non-cognitive skills and interpersonal characteristics that are important for success in the MPAS program. For more information about the Casper exam, including how to register, please visit https://acuityinsights.app/casper/.

• Indigenous Education Requirements: We recognize the importance of building knowledge and skills for future Physicians Assistants to work with Indigenous peoples in safe ways. Baseline knowledge is critically important and as such, applicants admitted into the program must complete an Indigenous education requirement which can be met in one of the following ways:

  • Completion of the Indigenous Canada MOOC (online). Completion should be evidenced by certificate or user screenshot; or

  • University of Calgary Indigenous Relations Training Program (in-person or online). Completion should be evidenced by certificate; or

  • Successful completion of a minimum 3-unit course in Indigenous studies from a post- secondary institution as evidenced on an official transcript. If the content of the course is not clearly evidenced by a transcript, students may be required to provide a copy of the course outline. (University of Calgary courses include: any Indigenous Studies (INDG) courses; or

  • A degree, diploma, or certificate in Indigenous studies. Completion should be evidenced on an official transcript.

Admitted students will be required to provide proof of course completion by the start of the program.

• A personal statement (500 words maximum). Visit the Master of Physician Assistant Studies website for additional details.

Short-listed applicants will be invited to participate in an online interview process. Invited applicants will be interviewed by members of faculty at the Cumming School of Medicine, community members, students and allied health members and will be ranked at the end of the interview process.

Parallel Admission Pathways*

Equity Admissions Pathway

The Equity Admissions Pathway is designed to provide a platform for applicants from historically underrepresented communities to share their unique perspectives and experiences. Applicants who are members of equity deserving groups including, but not limited to, visible/racialized minorities, individuals with disabilities, LGBTQ2S+, those from rural and remote communities, and those facing socio-economic challenges are encouraged to apply through this pathway. Applicants choosing this pathway will be required to submit a 500-word essay describing: their identity, connections and affiliations with their identified community, reasons for wishing to become a physician assistant, discuss their vision of health service to their identified community and populations, and personal privileges and structural and historical barriers they have faced related to their identity.

Indigenous Admissions Pathway

This pathway aligns with the university's Indigenous Strategy ii' taa'poh'to'p and is tailored to applicants who self-identify as First Nations, Métis, or Inuit. Applicants choosing this pathway will be required to submit a 500-word essay describing and discussing: their Indigenous identity, connections and affiliations with their Indigenous community, reasons for wishing to become a physician assistant, discuss their vision of health service to Indigenous populations, personal privileges and barriers related to their Indigenous identity, and how they can or will contribute to the health and flourishing of Indigenous populations.

*Applicants pursuing a parallel admission pathway are to submit one essay and are not required to complete the essay required for all other program applicants.

Students in the Indigenous Admissions Pathway will be supported by the MPAS program office for pathway advising and the Writing Symbols Lodge for academic, personal, and cultural support.

Students in the Indigenous Admissions Pathway and Equity Admissions Pathway will also be referred to the Support to Entry Program (STEP) offered by the Precision Equity and Social Justice Office at Cumming School of Medicine. STEP is designed to address barriers that equity-deserving groups encounter when preparing to enter medicine and health science studies. STEP participants will receive support for the application (essay, interview) and/or be part of the mentorship program.